Phase Structure Characterization by SALS of In Situ Compatiblized Binary Polymer Blends and Its Relation to Rheology

Abstract

Phase structures of polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) blends, in situ compatiblized by a Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction with anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst, were investigated by small angle light scattering (SALS). The invariant Q, the content of compatible domain between the two phases, i.e., the interphase volume fraction, and the interphase thickness of the in situ compatiblized binary polymer blends were determined by Rayleigh scattering, as well as the phase structure parameters, such as correlation distance and average chord lengths. The results showed that the obtained blend is a partially compatible system. The invariant Q, the interphase volume fraction, and the interphase thickness all can be used to characterize the in situ interfacial compatiblization of the blends and all showed a nonlinear dependence on the in situ formed copolymer content. Further investigations revealed that the contribution of the interfacial modification to the zero shear viscosity of the in situ compatiblized blends showed exponential decay with the increasing invariant Q and showed exponential growth with the increasing volume fraction and thickness of the interphase in the blends. The nonlinear relations between the three phase structure parameters and the in situ formed copolymer content, as well as the nonlinear relations between the three phase structure parameters and the contribution of the interfacial modification to the zero shear viscosity of the blends, might be closely related to the in situ formation of the copolymer and its effect at the interfacial surface in the blends.